Jurgen Klopp has rejected criticism of Virgil van Dijk, with the Dutch media and pundits famously unforgiving and the Liverpool captain having come under fire yet again.
Following the Netherlands' draw with Japan on the opening day of the World Cup, former midfielder Rafael van der Vaart voiced his concerns about Van Dijk. The 34-year-old subsequently featured in the 5-1 victory over Sweden, in which Cody Gakpo stole the headlines, while fellow Liverpool player Ryan Gravenberch also caught the eye.
"I have to be honest: I was quite shocked by Van Dijk," Van der Vaart had said between the first and second Netherlands games. "With him, I thought: that doesn't look good. Especially while turning. It is proving very difficult. A bit like a Boeing 747 turning. I hope he starts turning a bit faster during the tournament."
Klopp Dismisses Van der Vaart's Remarks
Klopp was having none of it, though. He was questioned about the remarks while working as a pundit at the tournament.
"I'm not entirely sure if it's worth mentioning Van der Vaart," Klopp is quoted as saying by several German outlets, including Welt, while on MagentaTV. "But if he ever says something positive about any player at some point, then I'll be happy to take him seriously again. You get the feeling he sees something, and then it has to be formulated in a flowery way, and then he's really against it. But that way it's really not important."
Netherlands Group Stage Progress
Van Dijk and the Netherlands now sit at the top of their group, having accumulated four points from a possible six. Their next opponents will be Tunisia.
Last week, Van Dijk and Klopp crossed paths while both attending the tournament being held across the US, Canada, and Mexico. One Liverpool supporter commented beneath a photograph the pair shared: "Genuine happiness." Another remarked: "Best manager and CB combo ever." A third fan wrote: "This makes me smile. Gaffer and skipper reunited," while another responded: "Our captain and our legend."
